Cupromakopavonite is a very rare sulfosalt mineral found in hydrothermal deposits. It is typically identified through microscopic examination and chemical analysis due to its visual similarity to other lead-bearing sulfosalts, commonly appearing as metallic gray aggregates.
Is this cupromakopavonite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch cupromakopavonite with a known reference. Cupromakopavonite sits at Mohs 3-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: gray.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates.
Often confused with
Cupromakopavonite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside cupromakopavonite
Minerals reported to co-occur with cupromakopavonite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₈Ag₃Pb₄Bi₁₉S₃₈
- Mohs hardness
- 3-4
- Density
- 6.85 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Platy crystals, granular aggregates
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- By exsolution from an originally homogeneous high-temperature phase in quartz veins in a metamorphosed hydrothermal scheelite deposit
Where rockhounds find cupromakopavonite
Classic worldwide localities
- K8 orebody, Felbertal, Salzburg Province, Hohe Tauern, Austria
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: By exsolution from an originally homogeneous high-temperature phase in quartz veins in a metamorphosed hydrothermal scheelite deposit. If you start seeing makovickyite, over-substituted krupkaite, hodrušite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: platy crystals, granular aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify cupromakopavonite?+
Where is cupromakopavonite found?+
Is cupromakopavonite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like cupromakopavonite?+
What minerals are found with cupromakopavonite?+
What kind of rock does cupromakopavonite form in?+
What is cupromakopavonite used for?+
Find cupromakopavonite on the map
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